A speeding car misses a pedestrian by inches as it is deliberately driven into a group of people.

A speeding car misses a pedestrian by inches as it is deliberately driven into a group of people.

People were lucky to escape with their lives when the car was apparently deliberately driven at the group in Manchester in the early hours.

At first the blue Ford Focus stops to talk to a number of people.

It is unclear what was said, but moments later it turned left onto Peter Street and drove off before performing a U-turn.

It is then deliberately driven at high speed towards the pedestrians, who were only saved because it hit street railings. The car then drives off.

Detective Constable Dave Berry, of north Manchester CID, said: “Anyone who views this footage will be in disbelief that no-one was seriously injured or even worse, killed.

“The car was driven at high speed and can only have been driven in such a way with the intention of hitting someone. Were it not for the street furniture being in the way, these pedestrians would surely have suffered very serious harm and could easily have been fatally hurt.

“It is an act of outrageous recklessness and we need to catch the offenders.”

Police are now appealing to anyone who has information that will help identify the driver of the car to come forward, and have released CCTV footage of the incident, which happened at around 4.10am on Saturday (15.10.11)

“It is unclear what the motive was or what happened when the driver spoke to the pedestrians moments beforehand. That is why we are asking anyone with information to come forward.

“I would also appeal to anyone who might have seen a Ford Focus parked up on a nearby driveway on their street with extensive damage to the front to come forward. This car took a serious bump and it would be unmistakable.

“Also, I would ask that if any garages recently repaired a similar car with such extensive front damage, that they too call us as this information could be crucial to locating the driver.”